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Thursday, 23 February 2017

The dates for Connections UK 2017 have been announced (Tuesday 5th to Thursday 7th September 2017 inclusive) and it will be taking place at King's College, London as before.

The outline programme for the conference is as follows:

Day 1: Tuesday 5th September

Wargaming 101: A shortened theory session for newcomers and novices.

Megagame: 'Dire Straits' which has been designed by Jim Wallman and Rex Brynen to explore a potential crisis involving China, Taiwan, and beyond.

Informal gaming sessions during the evening: Bring a game, find a table ... and play.

Day 2: Wednesday 6th September

UK military Tri-Service and FCO wargaming examples.

Update on UK military wargaming doctrine.

Seminar and Matrix Games.

Current design ideas in hobby gaming.

Games Fair session 1: Attendees sign up before the conference for sessions that they wish to take part in.

Keynote speaker: Senior military representative (To be confirmed)

Games Fair session 2: Evening session that follows on from Games Fair session 1, and which gives attendees the opportunity to attend different sessions from those they attended earlier in the day.

Day 3: Thursday 7th September

Wargaming in education.

Modelling Human Terrain.

Wargame design.

Breakout workshops: The intention is to take a topical subject and develop several nascent approaches that tackle the issue at different levels (e.g. tactical or operational) using varied wargaming techniques.

This looks like being yet another excellent conference, and I certainly hope to be able to attend.

The conference is held in The Strand building, next to Somerset House. I think that the Strand Palace Hotel is fairly close, but I believe that some nearby student accommodation might also be available. (I don't know exactly what is available as I commute daily from home.)

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The First Rule of Wargaming and the Spirit of the Wargame

The First Rule:

‘Nothing can be done contrary to what could or would be done in actual war.'

- From 'The Rules of the Naval War Game' by Fred T Jane

The Spirit of the Wargame:

‘Wargames are played, for the most part, without the supervision of an umpire. The game relies on the integrity of the individual players to show consideration for other players and to abide by the rules. All players should conduct themselves in a disciplined manner, demonstrating courtesy and sportsmanship at all times, irrespective of how competitive they may be. This is the spirit of the wargame.’

- Adapted from 'The Spirit of the Game' in 'The Rules of Golf' as published by the R&A Ltd.

About Me

I have been wargaming for as long as I can remember. One of the first toys that I was bought was a wooden fort that was garrisoned by assorted lead soldiers ... and I have never looked back!
The first wargames book I bought was CHARGE! (although I had taken out [and repeatedly read] Donald Featherstone's WAR GAMES book beforehand [and many thanks to John Curry for republishing it!]).
My first 20mm figures were the good old Airfix Guards Infantry and Band (in shocking pink!), soon followed by others as they were released, and by 1968, when I bought my first metal Hinton Hunt 20mm figures, I had a large collection of World War II figures, tanks, guns, and aircraft.
I was a founder member of WARGAME DEVELOPMENTS and have been the treasurer and membership secretary ever since. I have also organised – along with Tim Gow - the annual conference (COW – Conference of Wargamers) for the past ten years.
My main interests are wargaming any wars from 1850 onwards, although I have a special interest in Colonial, the Spanish Civil War, and World War II wargaming.
I also have a special interest in wargames that use square or hex grids for movement and weapon ranges.